No grapes, just fruit at NOLA Tropical Winery

Updated 12:11 am, Thursday, January 5, 2012

If you didn't know better, there are several spots along the walk through Alamo Plaza that would make you think you're in New Orleans. There's the occasional New Orleans Saints jersey, perhaps a nod to the season the team played in San Antonio. And, of course, there are the infamous Hurricane cocktails at Pat O'Briens. A recent addition to this tour is NOLA Tropical Winery, 849 E. Commerce St., Suite 661, which opened in River Center Mall about a month ago. The original location is in downtown New Orleans.

This is not your average winery; these wines are made from 100 percent tropical fruit. No grapes.

The next frequently asked question is “Are all of the wines sweet?” Surprisingly, no.

Visitors are welcome to choose a free sample of any of the wines or from the three featured smoothie flavors. (Note: The tasting room is for 21 and older; ID is checked at the door.)

I tasted the dry Black Gold wine (recommended to pair with steak) and compared it to the semisweet version, both made from blackberries. Although the latter was sweet, it did not have a cloying, syrupy mouth feel. The dry Black Gold tasted like, well, blackberry wine.

The Sparkling Festiberry wine made from cranberries is surprisingly crisp, tart and dangerously delicious. My favorite smoothie mix was the Orange Cream Extreme, which is paired with the Orange Sunshine Wine to create the familiar taste of a Dreamsicle.

There are other interesting combinations, such as the most popular Category 5, a white sangria blend of Key lime, mango, passion fruit, pineapple and watermelon; or the Midnight Sun, a blend of orange and coffee.

Most of the wines are in the 10 percent to 11 percent alcohol range, but some of the darker wines are 14 percent, while the port style is 18 percent. Bottles of wine cost from $19.99 to $31.99, although the port-style wines cost more. They can also be ordered and shipped from online.

The wines are produced in St. Petersburg, Fla., by Florida Orange Groves Winery, which has been making fruit wines since 1997.

NOLA Tropical Winery also sells a select few Texas wines, including Austin Street 3 White Chicks by Brennan Vineyards, Kick Butt Cab by Texas Hills Vineyards and cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay by Peregrine Hill because, after all, this is Texas.

For more information about NOLA Tropical Winery, call 210-228-9777 or visit nolatropicalwinery.com.

Jennifer McInnis is the wine and spirits writer for the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter @JenMcInnis or email